Multifamily Developer Cut Project Costs with RTA Cabinets & Hardware
Background
A U.S. multifamily developer in the Southeast was building a 120-unit apartment community. Each unit required RTA kitchen and bathroom cabinets, along with related hardware. The project was initially planned around a local cabinet distributor, but pricing was high and the project involved multiple cabinet SKUs across different unit layouts. The developer needed a more cost-effective sourcing solution that could also align with the construction schedule.
Challenges
Local distributor pricing was not competitive for a project of this scale. With 120 units and a large number of recurring SKUs, waiting until installation to place orders could create production and ocean freight delays. On the other hand, delivering all 120 units at once would tie up cash and require significant on-site storage. Last-minute shortages could also lead to expedited orders and higher freight costs.
Our Sourcing & Supply Solution
Reviewed the floor plans and cabinet schedules to build a project BOM covering all RTA cabinets, bathroom cabinets, hardware, SKUs, and quantities.
Leveraged the full project volume to secure project-based pricing, while standardizing cabinet styles, finishes, hardware, and packaging.
Combined U.S. inventory with factory production—using available stock at our Florida warehouse for initial deliveries while scheduling production for upcoming phases.
Used phased delivery based on the construction schedule, supplying the first 10–20 units upfront and preparing subsequent orders 1–2 months ahead of installation.
Maintained local inventory of common cabinets and accessories to support quick replenishment, replacements, and unexpected project needs.
Results
For a standard 10×10 kitchen, local distributor pricing was approximately $8,000–$10,000, compared with approximately $2,000 through our RTA cabinet supply program—representing potential savings of up to 75%–80% on cabinet costs.
Combining project pricing, U.S. inventory, and factory production reduced reliance on a single production or ocean freight cycle and improved replenishment response times.
Phased delivery reduced on-site storage requirements and kept cabinet deliveries aligned with the construction schedule.
The combination of bulk purchasing, supplier sourcing, U.S. inventory, and scheduled delivery gave the developer better cost control without sacrificing project flexibility.
For multifamily projects, effective sourcing is about more than getting a lower price. It’s about having the right products available at the right time—without tying up the jobsite or the budget.
